Requirements & Disqualifiers
Requirements
All members must meet the set of minimum requirements below in order to be a part of our rescue squad team.
- Minimum Requirements for Membership
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Possess a valid driver’s license (for Support Volunteers, exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis).
- Complete a membership application.
- Satisfactorily complete a criminal background check, which includes fingerprinting.
- Have a good driving record.
- Complete a medical exam screening.
Training Pre-Requisites
All members must complete the following courses prior to enrollment in any training program:
These online classes are pre-requisites to enroll in a BLS Academy. Please submit the certificates of completion to the EMS Administration Office or via email [email protected].
If you are already certified as an EMT, submit the certificates to the administration office.
- CPR
- Being able to start or help out with patient CPR is vital. Register for and complete the CPR class for new members as soon as possible after submitting your application. The Virginia Office of EMS requires that all individuals hold current certification in CPR as a prerequisite for enrollment in the BLS Academy (EMT program).
- If you are currently certified in CPR, you may click here to see if the Virginia Office of EMS will accept your certification (only certain courses meet the standards and are accepted by the Virginia Office of EMS). If you certification is not on the list of approved certifications, you will need to sign-up and complete a CPR class for new members.
- VBEMS Learn Courses
- Create an account on the VBEMS Online Learning website and take the Initial OSHA course, Initial LODA course and the COVID-19 ETS Training. These courses are designed for new members or members who are returning after an extended leave of absence.
- Click here for help creating your account in Online Learning.
- Online FEMA Classes
- IS-100.C , Introduction to Incident Command System
- IS-200.C: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response
- IS-700.B, National Incident Management System (NIMS) An Introduction
- IS-800.D, National Response Framework, An Introduction
- AWR-160, WMD/Terrorism Awareness for Emergency Responders (Hazardous Materials Awareness)
- Upon completion of each class, be sure to save a copy of your certificate of completion.
These online classes are pre-requisites to enroll in a BLS Academy. Please submit the certificates of completion to the EMS Administration Office or via email [email protected].
If you are already certified as an EMT, submit the certificates to the administration office.
Disqualifiers
All applicants must complete a background and driving records investigation, including fingerprinting, DMV records check (Virginia and other states), along with state and federal background checks. If any of the below statements apply to you, you may be disqualified from joining VBEMS. We do review each application and are happy to discuss your particular situation.
- Criminal Convictions
- Convicted of any crime, felony or misdemeanor, involving sexual misconduct.
- Convicted of felonies involving sexual or physical abuse of children, the elderly, or infirmed, or, misconduct with a child, making or distributing child pornography or sexual display, incest involving a child, or assault on an elderly or infirmed person, or, any felony involving sexual misconduct where the consent is an element of the crime, such as forcible rape.
- Convicted of any crime in which the victim is an out-of-hospital patient or a resident of a healthcare facility including abuse, neglect, theft or financial exploitation of a person entrusted to the care or protection of the applicant.
- Convicted of serious crimes of violence against persons such as an assault or battery with a dangerous weapon, aggravated assault and battery, murder or attempted murder, manslaughter except involuntary manslaughter, kidnapping, robbery of any degree, or arson.
- Convicted of serious crimes against property, such as grand larceny, embezzlement, or insurance fraud.
- Convicted of any felony, misdemeanor or any crime involving moral turpitude (crimes involving lying, stealing or cheating).
- Convicted of a Class 1 or Class 2 misdemeanor or the Virginia State law equivalent in the last 3 years.
- Driving Record
- Convicted of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, refusal to take blood or breath test, eluding police, racing, hit and run, or operating a vehicle on a suspended (Administrative suspension will be separately evaluated) or revoked license.
- All other driver’s license transcripts (Virginia and out-of-state) will be reviewed to determine eligibility, those with -6 or more points will receive greater scrutiny.
- Convicted of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, refusal to take blood or breath test, eluding police, racing, hit and run, or operating a vehicle on a suspended (Administrative suspension will be separately evaluated) or revoked license.
- Illegal Drug Use
- Used illegal drugs including anabolic steroids in the last twelve (12) months.
- Convicted, within the last 5 years, of any crime involving controlled substances or synthetics, including unlawful possession or distribution or intent to distribute unlawfully any drugs as defined by the Virginia Drug Control Act (54.1-3400 seq. of the Code of Virginia).
- Used Cocaine, LSD, PCP, or any other type of hallucinogenic drug in the last five (5) years or any history of flashbacks or adverse reactions related to such use.
- Used illegal drugs including anabolic steroids in the last twelve (12) months.